All of This Year’s Must-Try Restaurants in San Francisco

If you’re lucky enough to own anything in San Francisco—or just happen to be there a lot on business—these are the restaurants that you should be making a habit of visiting in 2017, according to the San Francisco Travel Association.

(1) China Live – Chinatown’s latest addition, this 30,000-square-foot culinary wonderland, includes a market, retail spaces, and open-all-day Oolong Café; as well as a craft cocktail bar, lounge, and elegant restaurant. Opens Feb. 23. For more on it, click here.

(2) Finn Town Tavern – Top Chef alum Ryan Scott’s highly anticipated tavern opened back in December 2016. With daily specials like a classic pub and upscale surf-and-turf, Finn Town is a must for the comfort-food craver. Try specialty cocktails ($12 each) like the Call of the Wild, named for author Jack London; or the Milkman, honoring local hero Harvey Milk. For more info, click here.

(3) Arsenal and The Hunted – Hot L.A.-based culinary entrepreneur Erik Sun has a pair of restaurants opening in San Francisco’s SoMa neighborhood. The first, named Arsenal, is set for a March opening, and will feature a pair of eateries under one roof: a 20-seat noodle bar, featuring all house-made noodles; and Yakiniku-style grill-at-your-table deal. The second location, called The Hunted, opens in late summer and is inspired by Sun’s alfresco roots (he’s a hunter, spear-fisher, and forager). For more on Erik Sun, click here.

(4) Hitachino – Opening in spring 2017, Hitachino is a beer bar collaboration between chef Noriyuki Sugie and Japan’s Kiuchi Brewery. Hitachino and other local beers will be served on tap, and suds-goers will be treated to both bar snacks or full meal options on a Japanese gastropub-like menu. Keep tabs on Hitachino’s progress here.

(5) Alba Ray’s – The brains behind Popsons has brought a new Cajun restaurant to the Mission District (it opened in late January). Look out for all the New Orleans flare and flavors money can buy, including classics like shrimp and grits, crawfish boils (when in season), and a well-lit Sazerac. For more on the new hot-spot, click here.

(6) RT Rotisserie – Rich Table is already a much-beloved S.F. haunt, with an inventive family-style menu, from a husband-and-wife team of chefs. They’re now expanding, opening the latest casual dining spot for rotisserie chicken lovers. Besides the main event, look out for soups, California-inspired salads, oysters, and hearty sandwiches. Check out some of the menu items they’re testing here. Grand opening still TBD.